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Telemedicine has taken a monumental step towards changing the healthcare landscape for many psychiatric patients in need, specifically adolescents diagnosed with ADHD. Defined as, “the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve a patient’s clinical health status,” by the American Telemedicine Association, this healthcare practice includes a variety of applications and typically incorporates the use of email, webcams, smart phones and other wireless technology as a means of sharing medical information quickly and effectively.

According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, telemedicine is regarded as an effective approach towards the treatment of patients living in remote areas or patients who struggle with transportation issues. The recently conducted study found conclusively that adolescents, previously diagnosed with ADHD, who received six sessions with psychiatrists through video-conference in addition to in-person behavior training, showed an increase in measurable improvement when compared to the group that did not receive the video-conference therapy.

This information is important to consider, especially given the substantial shortage of psychiatrists in the U.S. Addressing the concerns of underserved populations who do not have adequate access to psychiatric healthcare has long been a hot topic and telemedicine is providing a plausible solution that may realistically be developed throughout many other areas of medical care.

The study was well received by families, who are relieved that a convenient and effective method of treatment is now available to their children. Researchers also believe that the effectiveness of this method of medical practice has significant implications for rural patients and that the practice has potential of expanding into other areas of medicine as well, especially as technology continues to advance and offer increasingly effective methods of telecommunicating. What does this new standard of practice mean for patients? Quite simply, telemedicine will provide timely, effective diagnosis and treatment to patients currently unable to seek treatment in a conventional manner.

Counterfeit Erectile Dysfunction Drugs

Given the consumer interest in erectile dysfunction drugs, it should come as no surprise to learn that there are people out there willing to exploit said interest for their own malicious purposes. One example is the counterfeiting of erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra and Cialis, which can even cause serious medical complications when swallowed on top of the frustration of consumers who have been swindled in this manner.

Even worse, the cash that can be made selling counterfeit erectile dysfunction drugs means that the problem is becoming more and more common as more and more criminals take up the practice. So much so that fake Viagra and Cialis are even beginning to enter the inventories of legitimate retailers.

How Criminals Fool People with Counterfeit Erectile Dysfunction Drugs

Counterfeiters can make counterfeit erectile dysfunction drugs that seem almost identical to real Viagra and Cialis. In most cases, differences exist but tend to consist of small details that take both expertise and experience to notice, with common examples range from outdated packaging to incorrect coloring and incorrect lot numbers.

Furthermore, counterfeiters like to sell counterfeit erectile dysfunction drugs at much lower prices than real Viagra and Cialis, which can fool consumers into lowering their guard at the prospect of a bargain that should not be passed up.

How Can You Avoid Counterfeit Erectile Dysfunction Drugs

The easiest method for consumers to avoid counterfeit erectile dysfunction drugs is to exercise care and caution when purchasing Viagra and Cialis. For example, purchasing from legitimate retailers rather than unknowns lurking on the Internet, making sure to examine the packaging before making the purchase, and being skeptical of sellers offering bargains that should not be passed up.

After all, if something seems too good to be true, there is a good chance that is exactly the case.

With the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare as it is often called, medical technology is beginning to take mighty leaps. Inefficient systems are being replaced with more technologically superior ones, cutting unnecessary costs and allowing patients to get state of the art care through Telemedicine. One important example of these changes is the MusicGlove Telemedicine Device, developed by Flint Rehabilitation Devices, based in Irvine.

Regaining mobility and manual dexterity after a stoke or spinal cord injury can be a long, tedious process. Many patients may never fully recover. The MusicGlove Telemedicine Device is worn as a glove by patients suffering loss of manual dexterity. The Device works in tandem with a musical game, prompting patients to tap out specific signals and perform certain tasks releated to dexterity. Repetition is critical for rehabilitation.

The tasks are meant to be performed rhythmically along with the music, allowing patients to use functions such as pinching, grabbing and tapping. These movements are instrumental to successful rehabilitation, but are difficult or impossible for injured patients to effectively perform without the Device. The musical accompaniment helps to distract from the task, while encouraging the movements in a more natural manner. These movements help repair damage.

Flint Rehabilitation Devices has received 1.5 million dollars in grants from the National Institutes Of Health (NIH) to develop and distribute the MusicGlove. The startup company will now be conducting two clinical trials to determine how effective the Device is in treating stroke and spinal cord injury victims. If the trials are proven to be successful, the MusicGlove could become a vital piece in advancing modern rehabilitation treatments for those who have suffered serious loss in manual dexterity and movement.

The state of medical treatment and technology will continue to evolve and become more intertwined in the coming years. For that reason, breakthrough technical advances such as the MusicGlove Telemedicine Device are likely to continue expanding our knowledge of what is possible.

The medical care landscape is evolving with technology and changing the way practitioners and hospitals conduct business. The Obamacare health care system has changed the everyday practices of hospitals, doctors, and healthcare facilities. One of the most recent testaments to telemedicine involved a Minnesota man that suffered a stroke due to a blood clot in his brain. The rural area he was located in did not have any qualified medical professionals to handle the trauma. The Mayo Clinic’s Telestroke program stepped up, and the man’s life was saved.

Due to Obamacare and its medical restrictions, in an effort to control healthcare costs, telemedicine has become a growing trend to offset the decline of doctors. Telestroke began because of the Mayo Clinic’s response to areas where neurological doctors are in short supply. Telestroke assists highly qualified Neurologists at the Mayo Clinic communicate with doctors and teams via technology, to evaluate patients and consult with regard to providing necessary treatment.

In the case of Mr. Lee, a blood clot lodged in his brain was remotely removed by the Telestroke neurologists at the Mayo Clinic along with the rural hospital surgeons and team. The doctors communicate using digital video cameras, internet telecommunication, robotic telepresence, and other technology. By having prompt expert evaluation, Mr. Lee was able to receive clot-dissolving treatment and procedures to retrieve the clot. Because of telestroke attention, Mr. Lee’s impending death from the stroke was avoided and his recovery for the inevitable disability time was reduced.

The Mayo Clinic hopes to expand its Telestroke program to include more rural communities and into the global medical marketplace as well. Their goal is to reach 200 million patients globally by 2020. They plan to do this through affiliate networking with hospitals through North America and worldwide. The telestroke program will not only cut out of pocket costs to patients, but will help insurance companies keep payments low.

With the implementation of Obamacare, the number of doctors and healthcare professionals by 2020 is expected to dwindle, especially in smaller communities. However, by networking and affiliation with the Mayo Clinic, patients can get efficient and effective care through this world-renowned medical facility via the Telestroke Program.

Thanks to the rise in Obamacare, hundreds of employers are contracting through their insurers with Telehealth. Telehealth provides a cut in medical costs and instead gives workers access twenty-four hours a day to doctors and nurse practitioners. The UNH (United Health Group) started the program in January. At this point, Telehealth provided over 310,000 subscribers in Nevada alone with virtual doctors’ visits.

Telemedicine has been prompted in part by the Affordable Care Act, which is channeling many more patients into a system already overwhelmed by physician shortages. According to AAMA (Association of American Medical Colleges), the U.S. will have almost 100,000 less doctors than will be needed by the year 2020. If that’s not a frightening thought, I don’t know what is. Telehealth providers, however, claim they assist in making up for this deficit by aiding doctors in delivering services more efficiently, not to mention quickly. According to studies, LiveHealth Online saved an average of $70 per visit, and most of them saved two or three hours of time.

Telecare works great for treating non-life threatening conditions such as minor colds, flu, pink eye, and sprains. Don’t let the technology aspect fool you—Telecare claims they contract with physicians who have an average of fifteen years’ medical experience and who are certified to practice in the states from which patients call.

Telehealth also claims that they track their physician’s medication prescribing practices to guarantee that they’re not abusing the pharmaceutical system. Although reaching out to your own primary physician in a time of medical need is the best way to be treated, there’s always the possibility that your regular practitioner cannot be reached. In a case like this, Telehealth is an excellent way to be able to speak to a physician.

Not only is Telehealth convenient, but it is also cheaper than going into some physician offices. Most users claim they pay about $40 a visit, and some even say they pay as little as ten dollars a month for a subscription to Telehealth.

Telemedicine and remote healthcare services are gaining popularity and are helping hundreds of people that otherwise would no longer be able to afford routine healthcare checks. It’s also beneficial to people who cannot attend regular doctor appointments in that it is done on the internet or over the phone.

Telemedicine helps in delivering care to patients, and is available after regular office hours. Patients that have chronic conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, can have their information remotely monitored with telemedicine.

Telemedicine and remote healthcare monitoring is done when patients enter their medical information through their computers, or other digital devices. The information is entered into secure sites, such as a clinic’s webpage, and then shared with the patient’s doctors. The doctors receive information quickly through voice message, emails or texts. The turn-around time for patients to receive responses is much quicker than when placing a phone call and hoping the message is forwarded to their doctor promptly. Pharmacies can be contacted quickly should a patient need a medication.

To date, remote healthcare monitoring has been very beneficial for patients that suffer with congestive heart failure, hypertension or diabetes in that their symptoms and/or vitals can be monitored at any time. Patients don’t need an appointment to use the service, and can use it even if they are not living in their home. By using a remote healthcare monitoring system, patients can see a substantial savings in medical bills. By having vitals and symptoms monitored in this way, patients can maintain a good quality of life at all times.

While Telemedicine and remote healthcare monitoring cannot replace emergency rooms or hospitals, it can help patients deal with issues such as cold or flu symptoms, headaches, or other minor concerns that can be treated quickly and efficiently.

Another benefit to the telemedicine and remote healthcare monitoring is that as its popularity grows, HMOs and healthcare providers are allowing it to be considered a covered service for their patients.

When a person suffers from a medical condition, how many times do medical professionals and family members ask the question, “What would the outcome have been if someone had responded quicker?” This is one question that may not be asked through the use of telemedicine and remote healthcare.

The popularity of telemedicine and remote healthcare is growing. It is estimated that the telemedicine and remote healthcare market will grow from about $1 billion in 2016 to $6 billion by 2020. More and more healthcare providers and HMOs are adopting telemedicine and remote healthcare into their covered services.

What is telemedicine and remote healthcare?

Endorsed by the American Medical Association in June 2014, telemedicine and remote healthcare saves time, helps patients during off-hours, and delivers care to patients who live in remote areas or may have difficulty getting to medical facilities. An Internet or telephone connection is required to participate in telemedicine and remote healthcare services.

Telemedicine and remote healthcare gathers medical information from patients using cell phones, handheld personal digital assistant devices, or laptop/desktop computers. The information is then transmitted to medical professionals using voice messages over the phone, text messages, email, or live streaming audio or video.

Internet connections can also be used to search for telemedicine and remote healthcare services. Once connected with a physican or medical professional, the wait time is usually minimal, about 30 to 40 minutes. The physican or medical professional will take their time getting to know the details and symptoms of the situation. Should prescription medication be necessary, the physican or medical professional will contact the pharmacy.

The ultimate goal of telemedicine or remote healthcare is to provide better treatment for patients at a lower cost.

Diabetes, Hypertension, Congestive Heart Failure

Patients suffering from diabetes, hypertension, and/or congestive heart failure could stand to benefit the most from telemedicine and remote healthcare services. Some of a patient’s vitals and symptoms can be monitored closely at any time of day, without an appointment or even living their home.

Diabetic, hypertension, and congestive heart failure patients could see their quality of life improve greatly because the risk of complications or deterioration is reduced due to vital and symptom monitoring.

Despite numerous advances in modern medicine, there are still some areas that need improvement. If you have recently been to the emergency room and had to fill out multiple forms while waiting hours to see a doctor, you have seen some of healthcare’s problems firsthand. That’s why there’s now an emphasis on better solutions, such as walk-in clinics and telemedicine.

The Rise of Walk-In Clinics

You’ve probably noticed more walk-in clinics opening within drug stores in major cities. Such clinics are not only less expensive than hospitals, but they also usually post their prices online so patients don’t end up with surprise bills.

Walk-in clinics have been so popular among patients that some large employers now have their own clinics for employees who need treatment for illnesses or injuries. In fact, even some hospitals are seeing the benefits of offering quick, inexpensive care for patients, which is why they have started opening their own clinics within major stores like Walmart and Target.

How Telemedicine Fits In

Telemedicine involves providers offering care virtually, meaning they can diagnose and offer treatment through the phone or internet. Not surprisingly, this type of care is increasingly popular among patients who don’t have the time or money to go to the emergency room or even their doctor for treatment.

And now with the advent of walk-in clinics, telemedicine providers can tell patients to go to the closest location to pick up a prescription or complete lab work for a more thorough diagnosis and treatment process. Walk-in clinics can even serve as great locations for patients to complete follow-up appointments after they get treatment from telehealth providers.

How to Use Walk-In Clinics to Your Advantage

The next time you need treatment for an injury or illness, give a local walk-in clinic a chance to help. As long as you choose a location that offers the services you need and employs staff with the right certification and training, you’ll likely be satisfied with the care you receive at a price you can afford.

While the Microsoft Kinect is seen as a failure in the gaming community, those in the medical field are finding it to be an asset. The Kinect has allowed telemedicine to thrive in ways it might not have before. Telemedicine has enabled doctors and nurses to evaluate, diagnose and treat people remotely and the Kinect is improving this type of medicine with its progressive technology. Here are some ways in which the Microsoft Kinect has improved telemedicine.

Medical Service

The Microsoft Kinect allows medical services access to under-served areas of the globe. The Kinect technology consists of a 3D camera and a microphone. If a patient lives in an area that does not have enough healthcare providers the Kinect will allow the patient to visit with a physician across the world that may be better able to serve them than a doctor closer to home.

Cutting Medical Costs and Healthcare Costs

The Microsoft Kinect may help cut the cost of the healthcare bill by $30 billion dollars. Because the Kinect will help doctors work remotely it will reduce costs due to transportation and service time. The Kinect also reduces transportation costs to patients since the care will be completed remotely or closer to home. The risk of infection to patients will also be greatly reduced since hospital visits will decrease. In the long run this will be a great financial benefit to the public and medical industry.

Fitness and Physical Therapy

Physical therapy and exercise can be done at home instead of a clinic or gym because of the Kinect. Again, because of the remote nature of the technology patients can save time and money by completing their physical therapy and fitness regimens at home. Further injury can be prevented by the decrease in uncomfortable travel.

Virtual Appointments

Virtual doctor visits and virtual nurses will save time for both the patient and the providers.

Anonymity and Privacy

Since the Microsoft Kinect allows patients to complete their medical appointments from the home the chance of running into a noisy neighbor at the doctors office is removed. Another benefit for mental health patients is that they can complete group therapy using an avatar. Therefore more people may be more likely to get the help they need without the fear of social stigma.

With all of these many benefits the Microsoft Kinect will move telemedicine into the future of the medical industry.

Obamacare has led to lots of changes in healthcare, so it should come as no surprise that digital health has been affected in a major way by the plan. Just one example is the release of the Apple Watch, which you’ve surely been hearing about.

Of course, that’s not the only digital health product or service that’s available these days. You’ve also probably seen references to eHealth, mHealth, Telemedicine, Health Data, and more. These are also examples of digital health, and you will be seeing more of them in the coming years, thanks to the increased funds raised by digital health firms lately. More specifically, such firms raised about $5 billion in 2014 alone, which is much more than in previous years. Compare this amount with 2010’s mere $1.1 billion, or even 2013’s $2.8 billion.

In the past, digital health care seemed like a pipe dream, especially if you consider how slow electronic health records were to materialize. But that’s changed in the last year, and it’s mainly thanks to Obamacare. Not only did it get people thinking about the importance of healthcare more than ever, but it also made sure millions became insured.

At the same time, there is more focus on improving healthcare in general. That’s because when patients get improved care, they tend to be healthier, resulting in lower healthcare costs overall. So it’s no wonder that digital health companies have been able to raise so much money lately.

In particular, Big Data companies have raised the most, making up more than $1 billion of the $5 billion that digital health companies have raised overall. Companies meant to help patients navigate the changing healthcare structure have also raised an impressive amount totaling over $790 million. Coming in third place for fundraising are companies dealing with practice management, having made nearly $600 million.

Obamacare might not have the support of everyone, but it has certainly made a difference in the digital health industry.